“I’m honestly not sure I can afford to,” I admit, mildly embarrassed by just how broke I really am. “I may have walked out of work today. For all I know, I no longer have a job.”
“You really think Penn would fire you?”
“Honestly, yes.” I snort.
“Not a chance. Either way, it’s on me.” She gives me a smile.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t have to do anything but pay taxes and die. Now shut up and let me treat my best friend to a fat cheeseburger so she can eat her feelings.” Without giving me a chance to argue, she pivots in the booth. “Hey, Lyla!” she calls to the woman behind the bar. Small town, remember? Everyone knows everyone. “Can we get two burgers? And don’t skimp on the fries.”
“You got it.” She nods, not batting an eye.
“Thank you,” Josie calls back before her attention swings back to me. “Now, tell me everything happening with one Penn Kade. And don’t you dare leave out a single detail.”
CHAPTER NINE
Penn
“Isaid I wanted to move to New York, not leave you. I was trying to tell you what I saw for my future. A future I intended for you to be a part of. But you just heard what you wanted to hear, that I was choosing dance over you. You didn’t stop long enough to consider that maybe I wanted you to come to New York with me.”
London’s words repeat in my head for the hundredth time since she said them two days ago. Despite the fact that I’ve been extremely busy dealing with all the shit that keeps breaking, that’s all I’ve been able to focus on.
Her words.
The way she looked at me.
The tears she tried so hard to keep from spilling over at my cruelness.
I didn’t mean it.
Okay, so that’s not entirely true. I did mean it. But that still doesn’t mean I don’t wish I could take it back. Even after all these years, I still can’t stand the sight of her upset. It pisses me off that she still has that kind of power over me.
“You okay, honey?” My mom’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I glance up to see three sets of eyes pinned on me.
“Yeah, why?”
“Maybe because we were having a conversation and then you got super quiet and started staring off into space.” My youngest brother Walker cocks his head at me from across the table, looking so much like our mother it’s uncanny.
Well, except for his physique. Mom is tiny but mighty. Walker looks like he juices daily, and his entire personality is the gym. Which is probably true, given how ripped he is. But he has her soft blue eyes, her dirty-blond hair, and her dimples—matching ones on both cheeks.
Alec and I both take after our dad. Dark hair. Hazel eyes. Similar builds. Though our dad was broader, like Walker, without the huge muscles, of course.
“Sorry. There’s so much going on at work. I guess my mind’s a little preoccupied.” It’s not a lie, just not the whole truth either.
“Anything we can help with?” my mom asks in that concerned way of hers.
“No, it’s nothing. Just busy.” I force a smile that I hope she doesn’t see through.
“Wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that London is your new bookkeeper, would it?” Walker goads me, a knowing smirk on his face.
“Shit, dude!” Alec, who’s sitting next to him, smacks his shoulder. “I told you not to say anything.”
“Language,” my mom scolds, her attention honing in on me. “London’s back?” In a town as small as Wren Cove, it’s a wonder she hasn’t heard of this before now, though since my dad died, my mom doesn’t get out of the house much.
“She is.” I nod, trying to keep my expression neutral.
When I agreed to Sunday Brunch, this isn’t exactly the topic of conversation I was anticipating. If I knew it was, I would have politely declined the invitation.
